According to the US Forest Service on the Incident Information System website, the Carlton Complex fire is the amalgamation of the Stokes, Gold Hikes, French Creek and Cougar Flat fires.

The Seattle Times is calling it the largest wildfire in the state’s history, mapping it at 4.5 times the size of Seattle.

Extreme fire behavior has been fanned by hot weather and windy conditions, pushing the fire over the ridge tops and into the town of Pateros, resulting in almost 500 homes evacuated.

The fire moved to the edge of Pateros and Brewster Sunday evening. Only 2 per cent of the blaze is contained.

Red Cross Shelters have opened in Twisp, Omak and Chelan.

Highway 97 is closed between Pateros and Brewster, south of Omak where the current conditions “present specific and immediate threats to the life and safety of persons in the area,” according to the latest fire report on Inciweb.nwcg.gov.

The wildfire was sparked by lightning last Monday.

Thunderstorms are forecast to roll through Central Washington again Wednesday.